How Recycling Works

Recycling has changed a lot in the past 20 years. A few decades ago, everyone had to sort their recyclables, separating materials like paper and aluminum cans into separate bins. Now most communities in the United States use single-stream recycling. This allows residents to toss all their recyclables into a single, large container to get sorted once it’s dropped off at a recycling plant. “We have much more advanced equipment in recycling facilities we can use to sort out the various materials,” says Jill Martin. She’s the director of state programs for the Recycling Partnership, a nonprofit that focuses on building a better recycling system in the U.S.

The country’s recycling rate is 34 percent, which means one-third of all waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill is recycled. That number could go up thanks to new facilities like Ohio’s Rumpke Recycling and Resource Center, which opened in 2024. This cutting-edge recycling facility can process up to 250,000 tons of recyclables each year!

Recycling has changed a lot in the past 20 years. A few decades ago, everyone had to sort their recyclables. They separated materials like paper and aluminum cans. Then they placed them in separate bins. Now most communities in the United States use single-stream recycling. Residents can toss all their recyclables into a single, large container. It’s taken to a recycling plant, where the items are sorted. “We have much more advanced equipment in recycling facilities we can use to sort out the various materials,” says Jill Martin. She’s the director of state programs for the Recycling Partnership. This nonprofit aims to build a better recycling system in the U.S.

The country’s recycling rate is 34 percent. That means one-third of all waste is recycled instead of going to a landfill. That number could go up, thanks to new facilities. One of them is Ohio’s Rumpke Recycling and Resource Center. This cutting-edge recycling facility opened in 2024. It can process up to 250,000 tons of recyclables each year!

After trucks collect recyclables, they transport the waste to a materials-recovery facility. This building can be as large as four football fields.

After trucks collect recyclables, they transport the waste to a materials-recovery facility. This building can be as large as four football fields.

Items move along a conveyor belt. Workers remove things that aren’t recyclable—like shoes and plastic bags—which could jam machines.

Items move along a conveyor belt. Workers remove things that aren’t recyclable—like shoes and plastic bags—which could jam machines.

Rows of rotating rubber discs push large pieces of cardboard along the belt. Smaller objects, like bottles and cans, fall through the discs to a lower level for further sorting.

Rows of rotating rubber discs push large pieces of cardboard along the belt. Smaller objects, like bottles and cans, fall through the discs to a lower level for further sorting.

Containers such as bottles, jars, and cans are sifted out as they pass over a series of screens. Paper continues down the conveyor for additional sorting.

Containers such as bottles, jars, and cans are sifted out as they pass over a series of screens. Paper continues down the conveyor for additional sorting.

Paper is separated into three categories: office paper, newspaper, and mixed paper, like magazines.

Paper is separated into three categories: office paper, newspaper, and mixed paper, like magazines.

A strong spinning magnet lifts steel objects off the conveyor belt and drops them into a container. Only objects made of iron or steel will stick to the magnet.

A strong spinning magnet lifts steel objects off the conveyor belt and drops them into a container. Only objects made of iron or steel will stick to the magnet.

Rotating discs break glass recyclables. The pieces fall into a container.

Rotating discs break glass recyclables. The pieces fall into a container.

An electric current launches aluminum cans over a gap in the conveyor belt. Metal is a good conductor of electricity. Plastics aren’t, so they fall through the gap.

An electric current launches aluminum cans over a gap in the conveyor belt. Metal is a good conductor of electricity. Plastics aren’t, so they fall through the gap.

A scanner shoots a beam of infrared light—invisible heat energy—to identify different types of plastics. A concentrated jet of air shoots lightweight plastics that are easier to recycle onto a separate conveyor belt. (Plastics labeled 1 or 2 can be recycled only a few times. Most other plastics can’t be recycled.)

A scanner shoots a beam of infrared light—invisible heat energy—to identify different types of plastics. A concentrated jet of air shoots lightweight plastics that are easier to recycle onto a separate conveyor belt. (Plastics labeled 1 or 2 can be recycled only a few times. Most other plastics can’t be recycled.)

Machines called balers compress similar recyclables into solid bricks. Companies can buy the bales and use them to produce new items.

Machines called balers compress similar recyclables into solid bricks. Companies can buy the bales and use them to produce new items.